Quebec's education minister confirmed this morning that they will investigate the English Montreal School Board over how the board is being run and making decisions.
"There are numerous and serious allegations," said Jean-François Roberge who made a partial list:
Roberge said the issues were not properly addressed by the previous Liberal government and that they had a duty to act.
Before Roberge's press conference, news of the inquiry surprised co-chair Joe Ortona who told CJAD 800 an auditor already looked into certain alleged problems.
"They didn't find any irregularities. We've been here already. I don't know why the minister feels the need to do this all over again," said Ortona.
Roberge said this inquiry will be exhaustive.
"It's different to do a verification than an inquiry," said Roberge.
"We ask some questions and the answers we had didn't reassure us that the governance problems were solved."
A report is due by September but Roberge said he's also mandated investigators to flag any problems that may need immediate action.
The EMSB issued a statement later in the day, saying that, "We have absolutely nothing to hide and the MEES will have the full cooperation of the EMSB’s governance and management in the completion of their work."
The Quebec English School Boards Association said in a statement "the situation at the school board is of concern."
"An examination by a qualified outside party will help all concerned to adopt any corrective measures if necessary," said president Dan Lamoureux.